Students who have been in F-1 status for one academic year and who are experiencing extreme financial difficulties due to unforeseen changes that severely affect their financial resources may apply for work permission, known as Severe Economic Hardship (SEH). Authorization is given by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) with the recommendation of the International Student Services Office (ISS) in Welch Hall.
USCIS states that circumstances deemed “severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control” may include “loss of financial aid or on-campus employment without fault on the part of the student, substantial fluctuations in the value of the currency or exchange rate, inordinate increases in tuition and/or living costs, unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s source of support, medical bills, or other substantial and unexpected expenses.” Retirement of a parent or birth of a child are not considered unforeseen and will not qualify as reasons for economic hardship.
As an F-1 student, you are eligible to apply for off-campus employment based upon severe economic hardship provided that ALL of the following requirements are met:
To apply for off-campus employment based on unforeseen severe economic hardship, you must submit the following documentation to a DSO in Welch Hall:
USCIS will mail a Notice of Action - Form I-979. Keep this form in a safe place. If your application is not processed, you will need the LIN number of the Notice of Action in order to inquire about your application.
If employment is authorized, USCIS will issue and mail an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to Welch Hall. An Advisor will then contact you of the EAD arrival for you to pick up.
If the application is denied, you will be notified by USCIS in writing but you may not appeal. The fee is nonrefundable.
YOU CANNOT BEGIN EMPLOYMENT UNTIL YOU OBTAIN THE EAD. Employment authorization will be granted in one-year intervals up to the expected date of completion of your course of study. Off-campus employment based on severe economic hardship can only be renewed by USCIS and only if you continue to maintain lawful status and good academic standing. If your application is denied, USCIS will indicate the reason for the denial. A denial may not be appealed and your money will not be refunded.
If USCIS authorizes your hardship employment application, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS granting you permission to work off-campus. Typically, permission is granted for one year or for the remainder of your academic program, whichever period is less. Please also note the following:
If you have any questions, contact a DSO in the International Student Services Office.